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Talking Law with Dr Sally Penni MBE

Business & Economics Podcasts

Presented by multi-award winning barrister Sally Penni, Talking Law profiles leading figures in UK law as they discuss the highs and lows of their career plus the challenges and realities of the legal profession. From Women in the Law UK www.womeninthelawuk.com

Location:

United Kingdom

Description:

Presented by multi-award winning barrister Sally Penni, Talking Law profiles leading figures in UK law as they discuss the highs and lows of their career plus the challenges and realities of the legal profession. From Women in the Law UK www.womeninthelawuk.com

Language:

English


Episodes

Ann Francke OBE

3/22/2024
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Ann Francke OBE Ann Francke is the CEO of the Chartered Management Institute, the UK's leading professional body for management and leadership. In this interview, Ann talks about equality in the workplace and how all organisations, including law firms, can do more to promote women to leadership positions. Plus, Ann and Sally discuss why a good relationship with your line manager is one of the most important things at work. You’ll hear some of the well being initiatives that have been implemented at CMI and why they’re crucial for all organisations to foster a healthy working environment. You can now support Talking Law on Patreon Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on X @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:00:53:39

Joanna Hughes

2/23/2024
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Joanna Hughes. Joanna is the creator of Joanna Hughes Solicitor Apprenticeships and Advisor to the City Century career creating collaboration of 50+ City of London law firms which identifies, attracts, recruits, onboards, educates, networks, develops and qualifies significant numbers of talented and committed solicitor apprentices. Joanna and Sally discuss why Solicitor Apprenticeships are an attractive route into the law for employees and employers alike, and why Joanna is so passionate about them. Joanna shares insights into ways that the legal profession can be diversified, and the different forms diversity can take. Plus Joanna shares her top tips for those starting out in the legal profession. This episode is supported by Joanna Hughes Solicitor Apprenticeships. Find out more about their work here. You can also find out more about City Century here. You can now support Talking Law on Patreon. Donate £3 a month to support the podcast. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:00:52:16

The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis

12/11/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis. Victoria has served as Attorney General for England and Wales since 2022. She is also a Government Minister, and the MP for Banbury. Sally and Victoria discuss the day to day role of Attorney General and what that entails. Victoria also shares insights into how the crossover between law and politics in her career came about. They discuss the importance of increasing diversity when it comes to government legal careers; what’s been achieved so far and what more needs to be done. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:00:26:41

Lisa Abrahams & Emma Wilson

11/8/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Lisa Abrahams & Emma Wilson. Lisa and Emma both work in insurance at ARAG, which provides legal insurance products on a global scale. Lisa and Emma both discuss how they came to their careers via alternative routes, and stress that it’s never too late to start. They also discuss the improvements they’ve seen in diversity in their roles. Emma shares the role that ARAG has played in some high-profile medical negligence cases in the UK. This episode is supported by ARAG, click here to learn more about their work. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:00:35:23

Sarah Foster

11/1/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Sarah Foster. Sarah is a Partner in Restructuring at Addleshaw Goddard, where she provides advice on all aspects of restructuring; including business support, turnaround and insolvency. Sarah shares her journey from studying history and history of art at university, through to taking a conversion course and training in the firm. They also discuss Addleshaw Goddard’s approach to encouraging diversity in their law careers, including their apprenticeships; the Flourish network for female solicitors and their latest initiative, working with young people in schools. This episode is supported by Addleshaw Goddard. Find out more about their work here. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:00:32:18

Susanna McGibbon

7/5/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Susanna McGibbon Susanna McGibbon is His Majesty’s Procurator General, the Treasury Solicitor and the Permanent Secretary of the Government Legal Department, or GLD. She is the most senior civil servant who gives legal advice to the government of the day. Susanna and Sally discuss the important distinction that whilst she and the GLD act in their client’s best interests, they are politically impartial. They reflect on Susanna’s passion for ensuring that the Government of the day is advised by people who live and work all over the country. It’s vitally important to Susanna that the Government is advised by people who reflect the society that they serve. Susanna also shares with Sally why her most significant case was actually a defeat, when the High Court ruled that MPs must be given a vote on whether to trigger Article 50. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:00:45:08

Michael Mansfield KC

5/24/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Michael Mansfield KC Michael was called to the Bar in 1967. In 1984, he established Tooks Chambers and became Queen's Counsel in 1989. He has represented defendants in criminal trials, appeals and inquiries in some of the most controversial legal cases the country has seen, particularly where issues of Civil Liberty have arisen. Sally and Michael discuss some of the high-profile cases Michael has worked on, including Stephen Lawrence and the Grenfell Inquiry. He also shares his experience of chairing inquiries for mistreated groups and providing equal opportunities for black practitioners. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:01:35:47

Nicola Williams

5/12/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Nicola Williams. Nicola is the author of the hit novels Without Prejudice and Until Proven Innocent. She’s also a part-time Crown Court Judge and one of the 100 most influential black people in the UK. Nicola shares with Sally her journey to the bar, and how the skills she learnt there took her to the Cayman Islands. Nicola shares her insights into the life of a legal professional, as she tried to balance her career as a part-time Crown Court Judge and as an author. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:00:55:07

Nik White

5/4/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Nik White. Nik has been the Managing Partner of Brabners since 2018. With a background in commercial law, he has devoted his working career to the firm, having joined as a trainee solicitor in 1995. Brabners is a leading independent law firm which helps private, public and third-sector organisations, as well as private individuals. They recently worked on the now infamous “Wagatha Christie” case for their client Colleen Rooney. Sally discovers what it was like to work on such a high profile case, with so much media attention. Brabners have a focus on sustainability, not just in the environment but in the workplace too. Sally hears about their work to encourage employees back to the office post-pandemic and also about the “Brabners Bog”, a peat bog they’ve invested in to help tackle carbon emissions. Nik describes himself as an “accidental lawyer”. He and Sally discuss his journey to become Managing Partner; the skills and values he has carried with him and why he’s never moved on to another firm. This episode is supported by Brabners. Find out more about their work here. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:01:10:06

Lord Jonathan Sumption

4/26/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Lord Jonathan Sumption Lord Sumption is a former senior judge who sat on the Supreme Court of England and Wales. Sally and Lord Sumption reflect on his career, the cases he enacted on as a barrister, including the Abramovich case, and why Lord Sumption once said it will take 50 years to achieve true equality at the bar. Sally and Lord Sumption also discuss the 2019 prorogation case, although he did not act on this case he shares his perspective. During the pandemic Lord Sumption spoke out against the lockdowns when asked to comment by the BBC programme “The World at One”. He explains to Sally the reasoning behind his views and where he believes the government went wrong. A former academic, Lord Sumption has authored several books and specialises in history. Sally speaks to him about his life outside of his work and his passion for the arts. This episode is supported by Salford Business School. Find out more about their work here. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:01:23:08

Dr Shaun Wallace and Tom Lyas

1/26/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Dr Shaun Wallace and Tom Lyas Dr Shaun Wallace is a Barrister at Great James Street Chambers and is also well known to the public as a celebrity quizzer. He was the first black man to win Mastermind and is now a permanent staple on ITV’s The Chase. Dr Wallace tells Sally about how he’s been driven to be a lawyer since the age of 11, but he hasn’t always been regarded as intelligent. Dr Wallace shares how you should never rest on your laurels, as each new milestone is “the starting line to a new challenge.” Tom Lyas is the Head of Resourcing at Browne Jacobson. He passionately believes that diverse hiring leads to the best talent. Tom shares with Sally how the work he’s done in DEI at Browne Jacobson has taken the firm from one success to another. Tom also gives applicants some lucrative tips when applying for positions. This episode is supported by Browne Jacobson. Find out more about their work here. Talking Law is presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:01:36:03

Chad Doellinger

1/18/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Chad Doellinger. Chad is the Senior Vice President; Deputy General Counsel, and Chief Operations Officer for CBRE's global legal department. Chad balances his day job with a teaching position at Chicago Law School, alongside life with four children and four dogs. He tells Sally all about his career history and his route to becoming Deputy General Counsel. Sally and Chad share their views on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion. They come to the conclusion that it’s no good being at the table, if you don’t feel welcome there. Hear Chad’s top tips for those looking to make a career in the field of law, but also for those who’ve been practicing law for some time and are looking to progress or change their career. This episode is supported by CBRE. Find out more about their work here. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:00:46:11

Lord David Pannick KC

1/12/2023
Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Lord David Pannick KC, a Barrister at Blackstone Chambers who specialises in public law and appellate advocacy. He is also a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford and a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords. David talks over his 40 year career and some of his most memorable cases including the case for Gina Miller on the unlawful prorogation of Parliament in 2019, he tells Sally all about the experience of dealing on such a public and politically significant case. Advocacy is one of David’s many interests within the law and is known for being one of the best on the subject, and he gives a masterclass in advocacy in the episode. Hear why Lord Pannick says he is “constantly surprised” by what is going to happen in the court, the cases that have made him nervous and his advice to barristers at the start of their career. This episode is supported by CBRE. Find out more about their work here. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 and Instagram @sjsallypenni

Duration:01:03:42

Erin Shoesmith

10/5/2022
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Erin Shoesmith, partner at Addleshaw Goddard where she leads the health and safety practice. She is regularly instructed by the firm's leading corporate clients and individuals facing prosecution or investigation by the Police, HSE, Local Fire & Rescue Service. Her practice also covers inquests and public inquiries, including most recently the Grenfell Tower and Manchester Arena Inquiries. Erin reflects on one of the most poignant cases of her career – the inquest and subsequent inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. It was a pro bono case, and Erin explains why she loves pro bono work and why she often finds it so fascinating. Recorded ahead of the Lionesses final game in the Womens Euros 2022, Erin has a keen interest in Women’s football and considers what the Lionesses victory will mean for gender equality in sport going forward. This episode is supported by Addleshaw Goddard & Salford Business School. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1

Duration:00:33:10

Christina Blacklaws

9/28/2022
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Christina Blacklaws, a former President of the Law Society of England and Wales who now runs her own consultancy business providing strategic advice particularly in the areas of transformational change, technological developments and diversity and inclusion. Hear Christina reflect on a fascinating portfolio career with roles ranging from advising government on the use of Artificial Intelligence in the law, to helping the The Co-operative Group set up an alternative business structure. Christina shares her advice for women, and those suffering from Imposter Syndrome; she considers the causes of imposter syndrome and how we should look to overcome it. Christina also discusses what it was like to be awarded the International Leaders Lifetime Achievement Award at the Justicia Awards, and to have her trophy personally hand-delivered from Europe. This episode is supported by Salford Business School. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1

Duration:00:36:50

Shelley McGivern

9/21/2022
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Shelley McGivern, partner in the Corporate team at Addleshaw Goddard and co-head of the Firm's SciTech sector. Shelley has a wealth of experience advising both corporate and institutional clients across a number of sectors with a particular focus on acquisitions and disposals and joint ventures in the real estate sector. Shelley talks about ‘flexing’ her career; progressing professionally whilst juggling a busy home life with her children – something that her firm have been particularly supportive of. She even recalls how she never worked during school holidays, and handing over of work to another team member often meant that the length of time away was largely irrelevant to the progression of the workload. Shelley and Sally discuss the role of forums for women, such as Women in the Law, and how equality and understanding of women’s issues will only progress if men are included in the debate. Shelley also has some fantastic advice for women – to be brave and speak up for yourself, as barriers and stresses can often be self-created. This episode is supported by Addleshaw Goddard. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 Find us on LinkedIn or at WomenInTheLawUK.com

Duration:00:30:21

Alice Stephenson

9/7/2022
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Alice Stephenson, Founder & CEO of Stephenson Law. Hear how Alice struggled with progression in the law whilst being a young Mum, and became so disillusioned with the profession that she even decided to quit. Inspired by her entrepreneur husband, she then started her own law firm to see if she could carve her own path within the industry. Alice and her firm are extremely creative in their use of social media and Alice says authenticity is the key to success. She’s also very proud of her many tattoos – something which she thinks reveals her personality in a way rarely seen in the legal profession, but that actually is something many clients warm to. Alice also talks about juggling work and family life, and the importance of having a strong support network around you. She also tells the story of how she recently relocated along with her family and now works remotely from Amsterdam. This episode is supported by CBRE. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 Find us on LinkedIn or at WomenInTheLawUK.com

Duration:00:37:36

Jo Sidhu

9/4/2022
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Jo Sidhu, a criminal barrister who is widely regarded as one of the leading criminal trial lawyers in the UK and has appeared in some of England’s most serious prosecutions. Jo served as the Chair of the Criminal Bar Association in 2021-22. Jo explains what motivated him to become a criminal barrister, and tries to explain why many in the profession are protesting; a response to what he describes as a ‘process of attrition and by neglect from successive governments’ leading to insufficient funding for the criminal justice system. Jo explains that criminal barristers have received a 28% reduction in real earnings over the last two decades, further compounded by the effects of the pandemic. As the leader of the criminal bar association, Jo has made it his mission to bring the plight of barristers into the public domain so the wider public can understand the severity and complexity of the challenges facing the criminal legal system. Jo highlights the root cause of the backlog in cases being heard; a problem which was substantial and growing even before the arrival of the pandemic. Jo also reflects upon one of his most memorable and traumatic cases, the murder of mother-of-four Saima Khan by her own sister. He reveals the story behind the case, and why it left its mark him. The case is explored in a TV documentary called ‘The Lady Killers’ . This episode is supported by Salford Business School. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 Find us on LinkedIn or at WomenInTheLawUK.com

Duration:01:16:48

Ayo Onatade

8/31/2022
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Ayo Onatade who is a personal assistant to judges based at the Supreme Court. Ayo describes her many roles and responsibilities, and details what it’s like to work at the highest court in the United Kingdom. Ayo is also a freelance commentator on crime fiction, writing articles and featuring on panels about the genre. Ayo explains how she found her love of crime fiction, and shares some of her favourite novels. Ayo also reflects on what it was like to work for Lady Hale at the Supreme Court. ‘She was so inspiring. She used to make me laugh and to be brutally honest, I miss her terribly’ Ayo says. This episode is supported by CBRE. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1

Duration:00:30:14

Iain Simkin

7/21/2022
This week Sally Penni MBE is Talking Law with Iain Simkin. Iain Simkin is renowned for his expertise across the range of regulatory cases and he also specialises in serious crime. Iain recalls the extreme determination it took to begin his career and reflects on some of the most memorable cases of his career, including his work as prosecuting counsel in the case of Reynhard Sinaga, and the difficulties he faced in presenting evidence in that case. Iain also shares his experiences of being a transplant patient, and talks about his work in encouraging people to become organ donors. Presented by Sally Penni MBE, barrister at law at Kenworthy’s Chambers Manchester and founder and chair of Women in the Law UK. Follow Sally on Twitter @SallyPenni1 Find us on LinkedIn or at WomenInTheLawUK.com

Duration:00:48:28